This represents only a part of the full syllabus for the course.  The full syllabus will be available on Blackboard.

Required Texts/Materials

• College Physics by Hugh D. Young & Philip W. Adams 11th edition
• Subscription to the MasteringPhysics homework system
• A scientific calculator – any make or model will do, but calculators that can access the internet and cell phone calculators are NOT allowed to be used on the exams.

Student Learning Outcomes

Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate techniques to set up and perform experiments, collect data from those experiments, and formulate conclusions from an experiment.
• Record experimental work completely and accurately in laboratory notebooks, and communicate experimental results clearly in written reports.
• Determine the component of linear motion (displacement, velocity, and acceleration), and especially motion under conditions of constant acceleration.
• Apply Newton’s laws to physical properties including gravity.
• Solve problems using principles of energy.
• Use principles of impulse and linear momentum to solve problems.
• Solve problems in rotational kinematics and dynamics, include the determination of the location of the center of mass and center of rotation for rigid bodies in motion
• Solve problems involving rotational and linear motion.
• Demonstrate an understanding of equilibrium, including the different types of equilibrium.
• Discuss simple harmonic motion and its application to quantitative problems or qualitative questions.
• Describe the component of a wave and relate those components to mechanical vibrations, sound, and decibel level.
• Solve problems using the principles of heat and thermodynamics.
• Solve basic fluid mechanics problems.

General Education Competencies:

Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate competence in:

Communication Skills

Develop, interpret, and express ideas and information through written, oral and visual communication that is adapted to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.

Critical Thinking Skills

Gather, analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry, and creative thinking.

Empirical and Quantitative Skills

Apply mathematical, logical and scientific principles and methods through the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.

Teamwork

Consider different points of view to work collaboratively and effectively in pursuit of a shared purpose or goal.

Attendance Policies

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

The student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor.

Grading System

Lecture Portion (75% of the course):               Laboratory Portion (25% of the course):       

                25%        Homework/Quizzes                            100%     Laboratory Reports

                45%        2 Chapter Exams

                30%        Final Exam

                ______________________                              ______________________

                100%                                                                     100%

A 10% grading scale will be used with this class, but I will reserve the right to apply a curve if the need arises, i.e., 100%-90% = A, 89%-80% = B, 79%-70% = C, 69%-60% = D, and 59%-0% = F.

A student must earn a grade of “C” or better in the laboratory portion of the course as well as a grade of “C” or better in the lecture portion of the course in order to earn a grade of “C” or better in the course. If he or she does not earn a grade of “C” or better in both the lecture and the laboratory sections of the course, then their grade for the course will be a “D” (unless due to their overall course average they have earned an “F” for the course). The grade in each portion, either lecture or laboratory, of the course will be as outlined in the syllabus and the determination of the grades will be as stated in the syllabus.

Thus it is possible for you to earn an “A” in the lecture/lab portion of the course, but then because you earned either a “D” or an “F” in the other portion you will get a “D” for the course even if your overall course average is > 70%.

Lab Policies

Attendance in the Laboratory component is mandatory and you may not get credit for a lab that you did not participate in the data collection.  The lab reports will be due two class periods from the day that the lab experiments are completed.  The lab reports will either be an individually written, full report or a partial report, some of which may be submitted as a group.  At the beginning of the lab, relevant instructions for the performance and reporting of the lab will be given.  Late lab reports will be accepted, but if they are submitted one week after the original completion date then they will only be worth half credit.  If you miss a lab you may make it up by making arrangements with our Lab Tech Eric Ebner (RVS 2214, (512) 223-6060 or eebner@austincc.edu) or the Lab Assistant, please have them sign your data/lab sheet.  You are allowed to make up a total of three labs, make up labs must be performed and submitted to me within one week from the original completion date of the lab or else they will be counted as late.

Lab Groups

Students are free to choose their own lab groups.  If a space is available a student may change lab groups.  However, lab groups may not exceed four students without permission from the instructor.

Lab Safety

Specific safety training will take place prior to each lab activity.  If you are late or miss this training, you will not be able to participate in the activity.  The complete ACC science safety policy can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/sci_safe/

Homework and Homework Policies

We will be using the MasteringPhysics homework service this semester.  Homework will be due on the date that is given after the chapter material has been completed and will be posted on the MasteringPhysics site.  In general, this date will be two class periods from the date of completion of the chapter, except for the final chapter before an exam, which may be due the next class period.  Late assignments will be accepted up to the day of the final exam, but will only be worth half of the original credit.  You may only receive credit on the LATE assignments for the problems that you missed on the initial assignment.  There are also practice assignments that allow for extra practice but do NOT count towards your course grade.  The primary form of feedback I give on homework assignments is answering questions in class or during office hours.  Quizzes may be given periodically throughout the semester and might be completed on the MasteringPhysics site.  The students will be given ten to fifteen minutes to complete each in class quiz.  These quizzes will be worth the same as a single homework problem and your scores on these will be added to your homework scores in order to calculate the average for the homework/quiz portion of your grade.  There will be no makeup in class quizzes.

Exam Policies

The two chapter exams will cover five chapters each.  These exams will be given in class after the relevant chapters have been covered and will last both periods.  The exams will be comprised of ten problems and one bonus problem.  These problems will include one essay style problem and several short answer problems that are more conceptual in nature and are meant to illustrate your understanding of the material.  You will be given an equation sheet for use with the exam.  You are not allowed to alter the equation sheet.  No makeup exams will be given. 

The final exam will be cumulative and will be given on the last day of class.  The final exam will be structured just like the other chapter exams.  Students will be given an equation sheet for use on the final exam.  You are not allowed to alter the equation sheet.  The final exam will last both periods of the class.  Any student who does not take the final exam will receive an F for the semester.

Missed Exam and Late Work Policies

There are no makeup exams.  Students who miss an exam will receive a zero for the exam, but with prior notification and supporting documentation an alternative exam time can be arranged.  There will be no makeup in class quizzes.  You are allowed to make up a total of three labs, make up labs must be performed and submitted to me within one week from the original completion date of the lab or else they will be counted as late.  Late homework and late labs are accepted up to the day of the final exam, but will be worth only half credit.  All course materials to be considered for grading must be submitted by the day of the final exam.  No course materials will be accepted for grade consideration after the day of the final exam.

TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR

PHYS 1401 – General College Physics I

Note: That this is an approximate schedule and is subject to change as the semester progress.  Any necessary adjustments to this schedule will be announced in class.  Further note that this is the maximum lab schedule possible and that it may need to be altered in order to ensure that the required topics are fully covered in the course of the semester.